“Abstraction lies at the very heart of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Because the brush mark, in addition to performing a descriptive or semantic role, has always been recognized as a record of the artist’s hand, both painting and calligraphy have been valued for their abstract expressive potential.”

The thing about the Metropolitan Museum of Art is that, well, it’s the Met: this museum can seem overwhelmingly gigantic for a first-timer or museum newb. But for those pro museum-goers who know that with the right guidance and dedication (along with a labeled map), anything is possible. Including conquering an entire day inside the many worlds of wonder of this New York City museum. First one might want to start with one of the featured exhibits, in which I highly recommend, “Ink Art”. Its display is a boggling mix of contemporary ink works (but are not limited to) from Chinese artists.

“Ink Art” will be on display for its last week thru April 6th.

“Mythos of Lost Dynasties Series: I Evaluate Characters Written by 3 Men And Women” by Gu Wenda (1985)

“View of Tide” by Yang Yongliang (1980)

“Untitled” steel sculpture by Zeng Fanzhi (2009)

“The Written Word: Book From the Sky” by Xu Bing (1987-91)

“Dictionary” by Llu Dan (1991)

“‘The Song of Wandering Aengus’ by William Butler Yeats” by Xu Bing (1999)

(all photos taken at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Kaitlin Duffy)